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Updated: Nov 1, 2025

Measuring Cardiac Autonomic Nervous System ANS Activity in Toddlers - Resting and Developmental Challenges
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Measuring Cardiac Autonomic Nervous System ANS Activity in Toddlers - Resting and Developmental Challenges

Published on: February 25, 2016

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Premature cardiac beats in children with structurally normal heart: autonomic dysregulation

Emine Azak1, Ibrahim Ilker Cetin2

  • 1Department of Pediatric Cardiology, University of Health Sciences, Ankara City Hospital, Ankara, Turkey.

Pediatrics International : Official Journal of the Japan Pediatric Society
|June 22, 2021
PubMed

Insights

Heart rate variability analysis reveals increased sympathetic tone and decreased vagal tone in children with premature ventricular contractions (PVCs) and supraventricular contractions (PSVCs). This non-invasive method aids in monitoring pediatric cardiac arrhythmias.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Cardiology
  • Autonomic Nervous System Function
  • Cardiac Electrophysiology

Background:

  • Premature ventricular contractions (PVCs) and supraventricular contractions (PSVCs) are common in children.
  • Comprehensive investigation of these arrhythmias is crucial for pediatric cardiac health.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate heart rate variability (HRV) in children diagnosed with PVCs and PSVCs.
  • To compare HRV parameters between children with arrhythmias and healthy controls.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized 24-hour Holter monitoring to assess HRV in 175 children with PVCs, 160 with PSVCs, and 101 healthy controls.
  • Analyzed standard deviation of all normal RR intervals (SDNN), SDANN, rMSSD, pNN50, and frequency domain measures (LF, HF, LF/HF ratio).

Main Results:

  • Significant differences in HRV parameters (SDNN, SDANN, rMSSD, pNN50) were observed between patient and control groups.
  • Children with PVCs showed lower high frequency (HF) and higher low frequency (LF)/HF ratio; PSVCs group exhibited higher LF and LF/HF ratio compared to controls.
  • An elevated LF/HF ratio was significantly associated with >60 premature beats per hour in children with PVCs.

Conclusions:

  • Children with PVCs and PSVCs demonstrate increased sympathetic and decreased vagal tone.
  • HRV serves as a valuable non-invasive tool for monitoring pediatric cardiac arrhythmias like PVCs and PSVCs.
Abstract

Keywords:
autonomic nervous systemchildrenheart rate variabilitypremature cardiac contractions

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